1.64 Ct. Alexandrite from Russia

This specimen is a transparent, one point six four carat alexandrite, cut to an oval outline with exact dimensions of seven point nine four by five point nine five by four point eight two millimeters. It exhibits an intense color intensity, and a distinct color change from greenish under fluorescent conditions to purplish under incandescent conditions, a hallmark of chromium bearing chrysoberyl. The cutter employed a mixed brilliant strategy to balance saturation and light return, with a brilliant style crown and pavilion facets arranged to enhance fire and color separation while preserving depth of tone. The table and crown facet proportions were executed to present a lively face up appearance, and the pavilion depth yields a total depth of approximately sixty nine point four percent relative to the mean diameter, a proportion that supports both color saturation and optical depth without excessive windowing. Clarity is graded slightly included at eye level, which in practice means small internal characteristics are present but do not materially diminish the gem s overall transparency or its vivid color change. Polish is excellent, and no enhancement has been applied to modify clarity or color. Origin is Russia, a provenance associated with classic alexandrite material and with a tendency toward rich, complex color change. The Natural Gemstone Company documents the untreated status and Russian origin as part of our standard description.

From a lapidary and setting perspective this piece rewards considered mounting choices and careful orientation. The mixed brilliant cut was chosen to optimize the interplay between dispersion and dichroic response, so the stone demonstrates both scintillation and stable color change when the pavilion is oriented to allow light to traverse key facet junctions. The oval measure and length to width ratio produce an elegant footprint for rings, pendants, or bespoke designs, and the girdle condition and excellent polish allow secure prong work or a protective bezel where the slightly included clarity is a consideration for long term wear. For color emphasis in jewelry, warm alloys such as rose or yellow metals will tend to enrich the purplish appearance under incandescent light, while white metals will present a cooler stage for the greenish side of the color change under daylight and fluorescent sources. Cleaning is best accomplished with warm soapy water and a soft brush, followed by a gentle dry, and we recommend avoiding sudden thermal shock and harsh chemicals that may stress facet junctions in stones with internal characteristics. The Natural Gemstone Company can provide additional photographic documentation under multiple lighting conditions to assist in design decisions, and we offer consultation on mounting strategies that preserve both the optical performance and the structural security of the gem.

There is a romantic provenance that accompanies any genuine Russian alexandrite, and it is particularly apt for this stone with its intense dichroic statement. Named historically in honor of a nineteenth century tsar, alexandrite has long been associated with duality and transformation, qualities that mirror the emotional arc of a lasting partnership. Imagine the greenish phase as the first clear morning of a shared life, verdant and vital, revealing the gem s internal character much as early days reveal temperament and promise. Then picture the purplish phase as twilight, intimate and velvety, when the same surface yields a different truth and a deeper warmth. The slightly included clarity becomes a storytelling element, fine internal markings that serve as a fingerprint of origin and formation, a record of geological time that a skilled cutter has converted into wearable poetry. For a knowledgeable collector or a connoisseur commissioning a bespoke piece, this alexandrite carries both measurable technical virtues and an evocative narrative that complements its gemological profile. The Natural Gemstone Company stands ready to assist with technical evaluation, mounting recommendations, and provenance documentation to ensure the stone s optical and emotional presence is fully realized in the finished jewelry.